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From NASA to startup: Alumna launches AI platform to bridge tech and policy

September 5, 2025

Payton Barnwell ’19 has dedicated her successful high-tech career to creating meaningful impact through innovation. She helped optimize space station crops as a NASA intern, worked in mission control at Virgin Galactic, and led geospatial product development at SkyFi, creating easy-to-use tools from complex data and imagery. Now, the Florida Polytechnic University alumna has embarked on a new adventure. Barnwell

NSF-funded study uses brain data to rethink engineering education

September 3, 2025

Fueled by a new National Science Foundation (NSF) grant, innovative research at Florida Polytechnic University aims to redefine the way professors approach engineering design education. Dr. Elisabeth Kames, assistant professor of mechanical engineering, received a $200,000 grant to study how students cognitively engage with engineering design challenges. The research will employ neurocognitive tools such as electroencephalography (EEG), as well as

Florida Poly student research uncovers laser light from peacock feathers

August 27, 2025

Undergraduate discovery sparks nationwide scientific attention Florida Polytechnic University senior Anthony Fiorito has captured national attention in the scientific community with groundbreaking research revealing that peacock feathers can emit precise laser light. Fiorito, an engineering physics major, is the first author of a study that has been spotlighted by leading publications including Science, Ars Technica, Interesting Engineering and MSN. The

New SGA president focuses on student voices, organizational strength

August 22, 2025

Connection, communication and advocacy are Colby Manrodt’s top goals as the new president of Florida Polytechnic University’s Student Government Association. “I think our University is in a period of transitioning and going through a lot of change, so we are going to focus this year on bringing better forms of communication to our student body,” said Manrodt, a senior majoring

Florida Poly’s enrollment hits record high, momentum soars

August 18, 2025

Florida Polytechnic University welcomed the new academic year on Monday, Aug. 18 with a record-breaking total enrollment of more than 1,900 students, marking a more than 10% increase over last year’s historic enrollment and the second consecutive year of growth. “This remarkable enrollment underscores the growing recognition of Florida Poly’s value in preparing students for high-demand STEM careers,” said Dr.

Florida Poly reaches new heights with record Fulbright participation

August 13, 2025

Florida Polytechnic University is welcoming the largest cohort of distinguished Fulbright awardees in its history, with international scholars and students set to pursue advanced research and graduate studies during the 2025-26 academic year. The group of 21 graduate students and scholars participating in the prestigious U.S. State Department program reflects the University’s solid commitment to fostering global collaborations and advancing

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Former Harvard faculty to lead unique Executive Leadership Course at Florida Polytechnic University

June 7, 2018

LAKELAND, Fla. – Business executives from all over Florida are invited to participate in a one-of-a-kind leadership course developed by former Harvard professors and taught at Florida Polytechnic University from August 5-10. The immersive week-long Florida Poly Executive Leadership Course is designed for mid-career professionals looking to improve their leadership skills. Attendees will learn how to better understand their market,

Are you prepared for hurricane season?

June 7, 2018

The 2018 Atlantic hurricane season is upon us, and Florida Poly wants you and your family to be prepared. If you haven’t already done so, take the time to make or review your disaster plan so you are ready in the event a hurricane or tropical event affects Florida Poly and/or your home. The following links will help you prepare

President Randy K. Avent shares his vision for the future of Florida Polytechnic University via local radio show

June 5, 2018

During an interview with this month’s host of “Listen Lakeland,” Florida Polytechnic University President Dr. Randy K. Avent had the opportunity to talk with Lakeland Vision Board Member David Robinson about his career before Florida Poly, the university’s successes during the last four years and the future of the university. In addition to an increasingly rigorous curriculum and the development

Underrepresented high school students to get real Florida Polytechnic University experience at 1st Summer STEAM Boot Camp

May 31, 2018

LAKELAND, Fla. – For the first time, dozens of Polk County high school students will be staying in the residence halls at Florida Polytechnic University and learning from its faculty while attending the Summer STEAM Boot Camp, designed for first-generation college and underrepresented minorities. About 30 students will participate in the intense, week-long camp organized by Florida Poly in partnership

Esteban Segarra awarded prestigious fellowship

May 25, 2018

Florida Polytechnic University senior Esteban Segarra is headed to Gaithersburg, Maryland, this summer where he’ll spend 11 weeks at the National Institute of Standards and Technology (NIST) working to improve the way robots interact with humans. Segarra, who is a computer engineering major from Davenport, Florida, is one of less than 200 students across the nation to receive a 2018

Florida Polytechnic University’s bookless library attracts international interest

May 17, 2018

LAKELAND, Fla. – Florida Polytechnic University’s bookless library was at the center of an international discussion in Mexico focused on the creation and development of university libraries around the world. Dr. Kathryn Miller, vice provost of academic support services at Florida Poly, was a guest speaker at the first International Colloquium on Library Architecture and Environments, hosted by the National

Undergraduate research opens doors to prestigious opportunity

May 9, 2018

Valinteshley Pierre knows how important undergraduate research is. Since coming to Florida Polytechnic University in 2015, he has taken advantage of every opportunity available to collaborate with professors on research projects. Now a senior, all of that experience in the lab is paying off. Pierre is headed to the Johns Hopkins University Institute for Basic Biomedical Sciences this summer, where

Peter Moran: A dream realized

May 3, 2018

Take Your Child to Work Day can be an exciting and eye-opening experience for any kid. For Florida Polytechnic University senior Peter Moran, it was also the day he discovered what he wanted to be when he grew up. After spending a day with his father learning about container shipping for the marine industry, Moran set his sights toward a

Lindsey Schwemmin: Chasing unexpected dreams

May 2, 2018

Lindsey Schwemmin never planned to bring 200 of her Florida Polytechnic University classmates together in a weeklong tag battle between the living and the dead, but as a member of the inaugural graduating class at Florida Poly, she learned that sometimes the best moments are unexpected. It was the game of Humans vs. Zombies, a highly imaginative version of tag

Robotics team impresses judges at international VEX competition

May 2, 2018

LAKELAND, Fla. – Florida Polytechnic’s robotics team, Purple Fire, impressed the judges during their recent debut at the prestigious VEX Robotics World Championship, held April 25-28 in Louisville, Kentucky. The team of eight students received the Judges Award, which is presented to the team that the judges decide is deserving of special recognition. The judges consider a number of criteria

Florida Polytechnic University to graduate its 1st four-year class

May 2, 2018

LAKELAND, Fla. – More than 200 Florida Polytechnic University undergraduate and graduate students will be receiving degrees, as Florida’s newest public university graduates its inaugural class. Florida Poly’s Spring 2018 Commencement will be held at 3:30 p.m. on Friday, May 4 at the RP Funding Center (Youkey Theater), located at 701 W Lime St., Lakeland. Established in 2012 as an

Laura Wemple: Going back to get ahead

May 1, 2018

Laura Wemple came to Florida Polytechnic University as a non-traditional student. She already had two associate degrees – one in business and the other in chemical engineering and biology. After working for a few years, Wemple, 35, says she realized that a STEM (science, technology, engineering and math) degree would go a long way. Once she knew about the STEM-focused

Underrepresented high school students to get real Florida Polytechnic University experience at 1st Summer STEAM Boot Camp

May 31, 2018